Countdown to Christmas

Are you on countdown to Christmas?  This is the last quilt I have to finish on my countdown list.  The fabric is New Nordic by Stof.  I love the rubber boots, pigs, ducks and assorted other cute fabrics.  My youngest granddaughter doesn't have a quilt to use at my house, that is all hers.  Last time she spent the night with her sister, she was quite put out that her sister had a quilt, and she didn't.  Well, as any good Grandma should, I'm remedying the situation.

A quick quilting with paisley hearts, and it is ready to go.

I finished quilting this sweet little quilt for Sylvia.

And this adorable little bear quilt for Marilyn.  I have a few more quilts I would like to finish this year, but.....

Linking up with Finish it up Friday!

A Fabulous Week!

And what makes it so fabulous?  Well, family, friends and of course, a little fun!

First up, I did finish a small project this week.

This is a "Necessary Clutch Wallet" by Jangle MacKay of Emma line bag.  The fabric is "Once Upon a Chicken" by MaryJane for Moda.  I love everything about this Clutch!

I quilted this Lone Star quilt for a friend that had taken my class.

I had the perfect King Tut thread colour to use.  Made my day!!!!

Even a little mechanic work on my Longarm couldn't get me down!

Grandkids were the name of the game this week.  Two of them spent a night on the weekend, so Doug and I had lots of time to spoil them.  Then Wednesday was Christmas concert day for two other Grandchildren.  It is so much fun watching their enthusiastic singing.

I even made the Postie walk this week.  The temperature was +8 C and the sun was shining.  I couldn't resist.  We walked along the sandy shore of the river.  Of course on the way back, a tasting of craft beer was in order.  Lots of snacks were eaten by all.  A fabulous day with friends.

My hope is that you had a great week as well!

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Cotton + Steel Fall 2015

The variety of fabrics offered by Cotton + Steel is incredible.  Each release is a tasty treasure.

This quilt is made from the "Bluebird" fat quarter pack that followed me home!

I wanted a simple block that really showed the fabrics.  Circle in a circle quilting was used to soften the squares a little.

Next up was this fun little quilt made from a variety of fabrics from the fall 2015 release.

I forgot to take a picture before it went on the road with the Trend-Tex sales rep, so she graciously sent me a picture.  The pattern is from a quilt that a friend gave me to quilt for her.  A great way to use up larger scraps, or show off fabric.

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Jol by Wenche Wolff Hatling for Moda Fabrics

One of the fabrics that came home from market with me was Jol.  Wenche Wolff Hattling is a new designer for Moda and her first line is a christmas line.

Click here for a youtube video introducing the line.

For me, it's all about the quilting.  I had great fun with this one.

My inspiration came from this quilt that a group of us made at retreat as a community quilt.

A great pattern idea for showing off a variety of fabrics.

Last weekend was my Wonky Houses class at Katja's.  Do you think they had enough fabric to pick from?  Donna's Three Dimension chicken coop was adorable.   Everyone had a fabulous time playing in the class.  Thanks to all the ladies who came!

I've even found a little time to work on one of my quilts.  This quilt uses Aria by Kate Spain and Paper and Ink by Zen Chic.  More pics to come when it is bound!

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A Little Busy!

This time of year it seams like deadlines are everywhere.  Are you feeling the pinch?

Last Wednesday I finished up the samples from market for the Trend-tex sales reps.

As well as a parade of elephants named "Bobo."  A little out of my normal range of sewing.  I enlisted a couple of helpers on this one.  You can only cut, sew and stuff so many Bobos before you go a little crazy.

I spent the weekend teaching a few classes.  My favourite is always the free motion quilting class.  One young woman decided to doodle her cat.  I think she is going to be an amazing quilter!

Upon my return, I revved up the long arm.  I was anxious to try out the new ruler a friend in Valmont made me for my in the ditch stitching.  Having the centre piece to hang onto makes all the difference in the world.

This was the first quilt with the new ruler.  It's owner is just a little excited about picking it up on Saturday.

Paisley hearts was a must for this wedding quilt.  I always get a little sentimental when reading all the messages written for the bride and groom.

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Dapper

This week's quilt is made from Luke Hayne's cotton line "Dapper!"  A little tidbit I neglected to mention about Luke is that he is a great dancer.  He danced up a storm at the Moda party.

The line has twenty three pieces, making it perfect for the pattern "Messages" from the book Fabric Play by Deane Moore.

The quilting is fairly simple.  There was a tight time frame on this one, so it just had to be done.

Today I was teaching a Modern Sampler class in Armstrong.  The participants were delightfully willing to experiment with their blocks.  The result of their first block is above.  They all started with the same basic units, played with them, and came up with a design they liked.  My original post on making this block is here.

Dapper Wovens by Luke

One of the exciting things about Market is meeting the Designers of the Moda team.  The newest designer is Luke Haynes.  He has two fabric line, Dapper Wovens and Dapper.  Of course a fat quarter pack of each came home with me.

The fabric is soooooo soft and cuddly!

Working efficiently (fast) I came up with a very poor imitation of Luke's quilt.  This will be a sample for Trendtex fabric reps to take on the road while selling the fabric.

Luke's quilt is so much more fun!  And did you notice, the shirt he is modelling is from his fabric?

He took the cuttings from the Moda warehouse and pieced them together to make "new" fabric.  Using a Go Cutter he cut Half squares and pieced together the quilt.

Luke is very well know for his art quilts.  This one was hanging in the Quilt show portion of Market. Click here to check out his work.  It is worth the click.

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My New Hexagon Millefiore Finish!!!!

Yes, it is finished.  Better yet, it was a big hit at Quilt Market in Houston.

The women of Cotton + Steel asked if it could be in their booth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was so excited.

Rashida hammed it up for the camera.

This is where the quilt hung out for most of market.

Millie debuted at the Martingale school house for Katja's book "The New Hexagon."  Year two for Katja at Market.  Congratulations.  Katja introduced her new quilt along starting January 2016. Click here for info on the Millefiore and stay tuned for the new quilt along.

Next Millie went to the Cotton + Steel school house presentation.  I was sooooo excited when I saw it on the trolly of quilts entering the packed school house.  Being the nerd that I am, I had to take a picture of someone taking a picture of my quilt.

Millie had fabric from each of Cotton + Steel's releases.  Even a little Christmas.

Before I left market on Sunday I moved the quit over to Paper Piece's booth, where it will hang for the duration of Festival.  If you are attending, pop by and have a look.

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Of To Market I Go!

I am so excited to be going to Houston Quilt Market.  Friday is the School House Series and then Sample Spree.  Way to much fun packed into one day.  Saturday and Sunday is on the floor, checking out all the new quilty things coming our way for the next year.  And to top it all off, my Millefiore quilt is going with me to be shown at Katja's School house presentation and then off to the Cotton + Steel booth to hang out for a couple of days.  Pinch me please!!!  LOL.  I'm sure I will have a few pictures to show when I get home.

Back to what I have been up to.

Just before heading off to retreat I finished up this cute little baby quilt for a friend.  The pattern is available here.  The fabric I used is Bartolo-meow's Reef by tim and beck for Moda.  All my retreat sewing is waiting patiently for me to be home long enough to get it quilted.

You'll be hearing from me soon.  Have a wonderful day!

Precious Stones

Today's finish is called "Precious Stones."  What is precious about it for me is that three of my granddaughters helped pick the fabric.  I set out a big box of 2 1/2" squares out and let them take turns handing me the next piece to add to the scrappy quilt.  A great way to include younger children in quilt making.

The pattern is from The Big Book of Scrappy Quilts.  Elizabeth Dackson is the designer.

I have several pages bookmarked for quilts that I just have to make.  Lol.  When I get a minute.

Currently I am at retreat in Sorrento with a few of my Quilty friends.  Great times and great memories.  And if i am lucky, a few quilt tops pieced.

Carol keeps us on task with a community quilt for the Women's Shelter.  This is this years quilt in progress.  It will be a great gift for someone who I'm sure will put it to good use.

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